The Warren/Forest Higher Education Council was recognized for its devotion to improving opportunities for post-secondary education in the local community at its 25th anniversary breakfast held Thursday at the Conewango Club.

Citations recognizing its efforts were presented to the council by Larry Persing, field representative for state Sen. Joe Scarnati, and by state Rep. Kathy Rapp on behalf of the General Assembly.

"I am very pleased we can celebrate the 25th year of the Hi-Ed Council with funding," said Rapp, noting the recent struggle over the Pennsylvania state budget. "This is a beautiful citation and is presented to those who go above and beyond what is expected of them within the community."

In addition to the citations, the council was also presented with a note from Congressman Glenn Thompson congressional aide Deborah Pontzer.

Collaboration was a key theme addressed by many during the celebration Thursday morning.

Board of Directors Chairman Bill Gallagher recognized Hi-Ed's position as a highly effective collaborator amongst local residents, government, businesses and educational institutions for the purpose of post-secondary education.

"Hi-Ed continues to collaborate, engage and partner within the community," he said. "The council has a vision that is inspirational."

Terrie Ericson, director of Jamestown Community College's Warren services, addressed the collaboration between Hi-Ed and JCC, which has served as the Council's lead post-secondary institution since 1987.

"Hi-Ed provides a climate for the exchange of ideas and it is an organization we can rely on," she said. "We would be severely limited without the council model and their support."

Time was also taken during the celebration to recognize various members of the community who have invested both time and resources within Hi-Ed.

Hi-Ed board members Dru Schoenborn and Alice Pedersen recognized the Warren Community Foundation, the DeFrees Family Foundation and the Blair Foundation as major and long-standing contributors to the Hi-Ed scholarship and programming fund, amongst several other local donors.

"It's clear that this council has a wide array of supporters," Gallagher noted.

"It's a win-win situation for everyone," added Duane Vicini, president of the Education Consortium of the Upper Allegheny and former Hi-Ed board of director's chairman. "Hi-Ed has grown to the point where it's providing educational opportunities in a myriad of fields that would have otherwise been unavailable."